Charlestown, Nevis – The island of Nevis is poised to become the epicenter of intellectual discourse as it prepares to both host and compete in the 54th Leeward Islands Debating Competition (LIDC) from March 12-15, 2026. This prestigious regional event will bring together the most articulate young minds from across the Caribbean archipelago for four days of rigorous intellectual exchange.
The Nevis Literary and Debating Society has selected six exceptional delegates from Nevis Sixth Form College to represent the island: Kiara Barry, Rajaun Fyfield, Keyana Warner, Shirmia Thompson, Kijari Huggins, and Tahleya Phillip. These students will face formidable opponents from St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Maarten, Montserrat, and Anguilla in a battle of wits and rhetoric.
The competition will unfold at the Nevis Performing Arts Centre (NEPAC) following an opening press conference at Malcolm Guishard Recreational Park on March 12. The debates will address pressing regional concerns, with the inaugural session featuring St. Kitts versus Montserrat examining whether US deportation policies significantly contribute to Caribbean crime rates.
Subsequent debates will tackle equally substantive matters: St. Maarten and Anguilla will explore ministerial interference in public sector governance on March 13, while semi-final rounds on March 14 will address tourism’s impact on sustainable development and the prioritization of regional integration over global alliances. The championship finale on March 15 will feature a critical discussion on government-provided free tertiary education through undergraduate level.
Nevis enters the competition with recent championship experience, having claimed the LIDC title in 2024 when the event was hosted in St. Kitts. The Nevis Literary and Debating Society is rallying community support for all participating teams during this celebration of youth intellectual achievement.